Sunflower oil is the non-volatile oil expressed from sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seeds. Sunflower oil is commonly used in food as a frying oil, and in cosmeticformulations as an emollient. Sunflower oil was first industrially produced in 1835 in the Russian Empire. The world's largest sunflower oil producers now are Ukraine andRussia [1].
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[edit]Composition
Sunflower oil is mainly a triglyceride, a typical constituent is shown.[2] The British Pharmacopoeia lists the following profile:[3]
- Palmitic acid : 4 - 9%
- Stearic acid : 1 - 7%
- Oleic acid : 14 - 40%
- Linoleic acid : 48 - 74%
Several types of sunflower oils are produced, such as high linoleic, high oleic and mid oleic. Mid-linoleic sunflower oil typically has at least 69% linoleic acid. High oleic sunflower oil has at least 82% oleic acid. Variation in unsaturated fatty acids profile is strongly influenced by both genetics and climate. In the last decade, high stearic sunflower lines have been developed in Spain to avoid the use of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils in the food industry.
Sunflower oil also contains lecithin, tocopherols, carotenoids and waxes. Sunflower oil's properties are typical of a vegetable triglyceride oil. Sunflower oil is produced from oil type sunflower seeds. Sunflower oil is light in taste and appearance and has a highvitamin E content. It is a combination of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats with low saturated fat levels.
[edit]Physical properties
Sunflower oil is liquid at room temperature. The refined oil is clear and slightly amber-colored with a slightly fatty odor.
| Smoke point (refined) | 232 °C | 450 °F[4] |
| Smoke point (unrefined) | 107 °C | 225 °F[4] |
| Density (25 °C) | 918.8 kg/m3[5] | |
| Refractive index (25 °C) | ≈1.4646[5] |
Viscosity, 25°C, unrefined: 0.04914 kg/(M*S)[6]
[edit]Uses
As a frying oil, sunflower oil behaves as a typical vegetable triglyceride. In cosmetics, it has smoothing properties and is considered noncomedogenic. Only the high oleic variety possesses shelf life sufficient for commercial cosmetic formulation. Sunflower oil's INCI name is Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil.
Sunflower oil is also an ingredient in sunflower butter.
Sunflower oil can be used to run diesel engines when mixed with diesel in the tank.
[edit]Nutrition
| itional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 3,699 kJ (884 kcal) |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Fat | 100 g |
| - saturated | 9.748 g |
| - monounsaturated | 83.594 g |
| - polyunsaturated | 3.798 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Vitamin E | 41.08 mg (274%) |
| Vitamin K | 5.4 μg (5%) |
| Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. | |
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 3,699 kJ (884 kcal) |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Fat | 100 g |
| - saturated | 10.3 g |
| - monounsaturated | 19.5 g |
| - polyunsaturated | 65.7 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Vitamin E | 41.08 mg (274%) |
| Vitamin K | 5.4 μg (5%) |
| Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. | |
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 3,699 kJ (884 kcal) |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Fat | 100 g |
| - saturated | 9.009 g |
| - monounsaturated | 57.344 g |
| - polyunsaturated | 28.962 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Vitamin E | 41.08 mg (274%) |
| Vitamin K | 5.4 μg (5%) |
| Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. | |
| Total fat | Saturated fat | Monounsaturated fat | Polyunsaturated fat | Smoke point | |
| Sunflower oil | 100g | 11g | 20g | 69g | 225 °C (437 °F)[a] |
| Soybean oil | 100g | 16g | 23g | 58g | 257 °C (495 °F)[a] |
| Olive oil | 100g | 14g | 73g | 11g | 190 °C (374 °F)[a] |
| Corn oil | 100g | 15g | 30g | 55g | 230 °C (446 °F)[a] |
| Peanut oil | 100g | 17g | 46g | 32g | 225 °C (437 °F)[a] |
| Vegetable shortening (hydrogenated) | 71g | 23g (34%) | 8g (11%) | 37g (52%) | 165 °C (329 °F)[a] |
| Lard | 100g | 39g | 45g | 11g | 190 °C (374 °F)[a] |
| Suet | 94g | 52g (55%) | 32g (34%) | 3g (3%) | 200°C (400°F) |
| Butter | 81g | 51g (63%) | 21g (26%) | 3g (4%) | 150 °C (302 °F)[a] |
[edit]Health benefits
There are a variety of health benefits associated with the consumption of sunflower oil.
[edit]Diet and cardiovascular benefits
Sunflower oil is high in the essential vitamin E and low in saturated fat. The two most common types of sunflower oil are linoleic and high oleic. Linoleic sunflower oil is a common cooking oil that has high levels of polyunsaturated fat. It is also known for having a clean taste and low levels oftrans fat. High oleic sunflower oils are classified as having monounsaturated levels of 80% and above. Newer versions of sunflower oil have been developed as a hybrid containing linoleic acid. They have monounsaturated levels lower than other oleic sunflower oils. The hybrid oil also has lower saturated fat levels than linoleic sunflower oil.[7]
[edit]Restaurant and food industry uses
Restaurants and food manufacturers are becoming aware of the health benefits of sunflower oil. The oil can be used in conditions with extremely high cooking temperatures. It may also help food stay fresher and healthier for longer periods of time.[8] Food manufacturers are starting to use sunflower oil in an effort to lower the levels of trans fat in mass produced foods. A number of common snack foods currently contain sunflower oil, including NewYork Fries French fries, Majans bhuja Mix healthy snacks, the Sri Lankan style Bombay Mix - Rani Mix, Kettle Chips, Sun Chips, Sunflower Chips, Ruffles, Walkers and Lay's potato chips. The recipe of Lay's potato chips was modified in late 2006 to use sunflower oil as the only frying oil;[9]by 2009, the recipe again included other "natural oils".[10]
[edit]Skin protectant
Sunflower oil, like other oils, can retain moisture in the skin. It may also provide a protective barrier that resists infection in premature infants. Studies using sunflower oil have been conducted involving low birth weight infants who are often susceptible to infection due to their underdeveloped skin. The study determined that infants receiving a daily skin treatment of sunflower oil were 41% less likely to develop infections in the hospital.[11]
[edit]Negative health effects
A high consumption of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are found in most types of vegetable oil, including sunflower oil, may increase the likelihood postmenopausal women may develop breast cancer.[12] A similar effect was observed on prostate cancer - however, the study was performed on mice.[13] Another study indicated that, when heated to frying temperature for extended periods, sunflower oil produces aldehydes, which may be associated with some neurodegenerative diseases.[14]
[edit]Preparation and storage
Because sunflower oil is primarily composed of healthier but less stable polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, it can be particularly susceptible to damage by heat and light. Keeping sunflower oil at low temperatures both during processing and storage can help to minimize rancidity and nutrient loss, as can storage in darker amber-colored bottles.
[edit]Methods of extraction
Sunflower oil can be extracted using chemical solvents, or squeezed directly from sunflower seeds by crushing them in an expeller press. Cold pressing sunflower oil using an expeller press under low-temperature conditions is a preferred method for those seeking an extraction process that doesn't involve chemical solvents, as well as for people following a raw foods diet.
[edit]Refined versus unrefined
Refining sunflower oil through solvent extraction, degumming, neutralization and bleaching can make it more stable and suitable for high-temperature cooking, but will also remove some of the oil's nutrients and flavor, including color pigments, free fatty acids, phospholipids, polyphenols and phytosterols. Unrefined sunflower oil is less heat stable, but will retain more of its original nutrient content and flavor, and is well suited to dishes that require low- or no-heat.
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